The poinsettia is a traditional Christmas flower. In Mexico (its original birthplace), the poinsettia is known as the "Flower of the Holy Night".
15
At Christmas, it is traditional to exchange kisses beneath the mistletoe tree. In ancient Scandinavia, mistletoe was associated with peace and friendship. That may account for the custom of "kissing beneath the mistletoe".
27
In 1999, residents of the state of Maine in America built the world's biggest ever snowman. He stood at 113ft tall.
103
The first postage stamp to commemorate Christmas was issued in Austria in 1937.
28
The sun sets on 24 December at 3.55pm in the UK, and rises the following morning at 8.05am.
81
There are 13 Santas in Iceland, each leaving a gift for children. They come down from the mountain one by one, starting on December 12 and have names like Spoon Licker, Door Sniffer and Meat Hook.
191
The abbreviation Xmas isn't irreligious. The letter X is a Greek abbreviation for Christ.
273
Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer was invented for a US firm's Christmas promotion in 1938.
113